Home made teardrop trailer

Eight433 · 02-04-2005, 02:07 AM

So i've been thinking about this since I saw one on TV a couple years ago.... and I finally decided to make it a reality... Its a "teardrop" camper trailer, popularized post-war because of thier small, lightweight, and towable do-it-yourself design and they were extremely cheap. They were traditionally made 4x8 so they could be made out of standard sheet goods. Mine is considerably bigger (i'm about 6'3) and it will be about 11 feet long and 6.5 feet wide with a fully functional kitchen in the back including 3 burner range top stove, 2.0 or 2.4 cu ft. refrigerator, and a 12 gallon fresh water tank. The rear of the trailer opens up like a hatchback car to reveal the kitchen, but mine will also have a unique (or at least i've never seen it done) tailgate feature. The hatch will start at about the center of the small curve on the back, and the tailgate will drop down. It is basically a scaled-up version of the one seen on www.aerotear.com. And it will be wrapped in alluminum, painted to match the truck. Plus its still small enough to pull with my 4 banger without electric brakes. Keep in mind that it is in rough stages and i have no concrete plans (just wingin it) but if you have any ideas, shoot em my way!

PS my truck in that picture is bone stock. I have a 3/3 drop sittin in my garage waiting for snow to melt, and those damned vinyl graphics are comming off too. also i have a rollpan with a hidden hitch behind the plate...

s10Steve · 02-04-2005, 02:53 AM

those things are so cool, there is like a gang of people that have them and they go all over and camp out. i saw it on a travel channel speical a few months ago. put up some pics when your done. i bet thats alot cheaper then goin out ans buy a new colemen pop-up.

***AVTekk*** · 02-04-2005, 03:22 AM

hah! pretty cool man

sdime90v8 · 02-04-2005, 08:47 AM

been some time seens i seen one of them sounds cool keep up the work

DruskiSportTruck · 02-04-2005, 07:31 PM

Man that looks awsome!!! Keep postin those pics when you get em, I'm interested to see the results!!!

Eight433 · 02-04-2005, 10:01 PM

Well, I spent about another 300 bucks at home depot today on lumber and such, and spent all day working on it (except for the hour or so it took me to replace my buddy's alternater.) I got the top hatch done and on the hinge, tomorrow i'll finish the bottom tailgate piece and start on the kitchen. I also got the whole roof studded in and my roof vent frame done. I picked up (a rather expensive) roof vent from a trailer supply store earlier this week. Its just a crank up RV vent, but its cool because it has a 12 inch (supprisingly quiet) 3 speed reversable fan. It was like 130 bucks though. Oh well... money well spent. The model up had a thermostat, and the model better than that had a thermostat AND a rain sensor that would close it and shut off the fan automatically if it started to rain, but that one was 300 bucks. Tomorrow or sometime early next week i'll hopfully begin mounting my appliances (refrigerator, stove, water tank, 12 volt deep cell battery and trickle charger) and start wiring it up before i insulate it. I also gotta call around and find some alluminum sheeting. If there is anyone in the mid- michigan area thats any good with painting graphics, let me know, i'de be interested. I want not flames, but maybe a shedded look going from a black to red... i dunno. anyways, heres the pics.

poconojoe · 02-04-2005, 10:18 PM

Two things that I notice, but I realize you're nor far enough that it maters yet. The first being is it looks like your designing the hatch to fit inside of the sides, while this is good for air flow it is bad for leak, you should make the final skin hang over the sides. (May this is your plan, since it's not far enough to tell. The second thing I would do is cross brace the hatch. Run a brace rod diagnally from oposite corners to a turn buckle in the center. Leave an access hole in the inside to be able to adjust the rods later. This will give you some adjustment to resquare up the hatch later on, when the wood starts to bend or bow. It's looking good so far.

Eight433 · 02-04-2005, 10:22 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by poconojoe

Two things that I notice, but I realize you're nor far enough that it maters yet. The first being is it looks like your designing the hatch to fit inside of the sides, while this is good for air flow it is bad for leak, you should make the final skin hang over the sides. (May this is your plan, since it's not far enough to tell. The second thing I would do is cross brace the hatch. Run a brace rod diagnally from oposite corners to a turn buckle in the center. Leave an access hole in the inside to be able to adjust the rods later. This will give you some adjustment to resquare up the hatch later on, when the wood starts to bend or bow. It's looking good so far.

Yeah the final skin will lay on the outside, and it will also have a drip rail on it. I dident think about putting a rod diagonally..... i think i may do that! I am actually having a little trouble already trying to square up the hatch, so thats probably a great idea. Thanks!!!

eugenen · 02-04-2005, 10:28 PM

I've thought about making one of those. But I want to flip the shape around backwards and make it 6' tall. So where about where the H and a are in your word Hatch will be the same height as the top of the cab of the truck then the curve will go up to 6' tall with a walk in door just behind the wheels and the mattress for the bed will sit right on top of the fenders and go to the front of the trailer. then have storage under it. The other idea I thought of is using 1x8's for the side frames so I can but them rounded and trace the body line of the truck onto them.

poconojoe · 02-04-2005, 10:38 PM

You can really stiffen it up by putting thin plywood between the cross pieces. I'm assuming that theyre 2 by somethings. Set up you table saw with a daddo blade about a hair over the thickness of some quarter or three eigths plywood. Stand the 2 by on its short side and use you guide to put a groove in it about a half inch deep, about a half inch from your top side. Do this on all the sides, that will have a cross piece next to it. Now cut some plywood an inch wider than the space between your boards. Put some glue in the grooves and pound the plywood in. If you do it right you can bow the wood to make your curve, but it will stay square. Before you put your skin on the outside, put some foam insulation, between the wood and you skin. .

bvr_j_0969 · 02-04-2005, 11:42 PM

bagg it too, lol jk looks good man,

bagged2000x · 02-04-2005, 11:47 PM

Thats cool as hell. I like wood working...if i didnt spend so much damn time and money on my truck.

Eight433 · 02-05-2005, 12:43 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by bvr_j_0969

bagg it too, lol jk looks good man,

Bag it. lol thats your answer to everything! (and a damn good one too)

Baggd · 02-05-2005, 10:56 AM

thats nuts, man. :thumbup:

rcmaniac · 02-05-2005, 12:15 PM

Definatly looks good man

mrshaft696 · 02-05-2005, 12:19 PM

i definately like the idea of the teardrop

Eight433 · 02-06-2005, 01:52 AM

well not much actually done today...Built the wheel wells (couldent find anywhere to buy some at a reasonable price) so i made them out of scrap plywood, an old towel, and a gallon of fiberglass resin... i put the wall in between the sleeping cabin and the kitchen. Bought a water tank and some lights and stuff, bought a 4.3 Cu Ft refrigerator at sams for 135 bucks... I actually got alot accomplished, even if it doesent look like it.... i'll take some pictures tomorrow. Hopefully i'll have my stove and what not in and maybe even start on the cabinets?

Baggd · 02-06-2005, 12:25 PM

this is definitely one of the coolest s10forum projects ive ever seen on here. :thumbup: to you for bein crazy enough to build that shit.

MarkIIISdImE · 02-06-2005, 03:26 PM

that is cool as shit. i want one. lol. best of luck and makesure it is a project that u finish. i know mine usual get lil more then half and i go to the next

Eight433 · 02-06-2005, 06:05 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by MarkIIISdImE

that is cool as shit. i want one. lol. best of luck and makesure it is a project that u finish. i know mine usual get lil more then half and i go to the next

Yeah this one sat awhile too and i'm just now getting back started on it. Today I dident really get that much done either. had to go look at a formula firebird with my dad

but i did figure out how to make the hinge on the tailgate and the latch mechanism for the hatch. It took me awhile to think of it, but i'm using a trunk latch from a car. Then i was thinking I would just have a key hole and no handle.... now i'm thinking i'll run the linkage to the popper into the inside of the trailer and maybe get a remote door popper??? so if theres anybody with parts laying around.....

Eight433 · 02-08-2005, 12:24 AM

Well, I got the wheel wells all fiberglassed up and undercoated... nice and pretty all mounted in. Now tomorrow its cabinet building time! Oh, and I gotta make the removable hinge mechanism for the tailgate too.... then all thats left is wiring, piping the gas, paneling the interior, and finally putting the skin on the outside... hope to have it done by the end of next month.

mrshaft696 · 02-08-2005, 12:09 PM

what are you going to use as a skin?

Eight433 · 02-08-2005, 01:14 PM

3/16 hardboard for strength, then .040 or .060 (i cant remember) aluminum for finish.

Eight433 · 02-09-2005, 06:45 PM

Well i've been working quite a bit on it... I have the kitchen just about done... it would have been done already but i ran out of plywood and my dad has my truck to go buy a new drill press... (its a monster too!) anyways, heres the update pics!

eugenen · 02-09-2005, 06:51 PM

The bottom part of the back that folds down, is that a step to stand on?

Eight433 · 02-09-2005, 07:10 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by eugenen

The bottom part of the back that folds down, is that a step to stand on?

Its not a step, its just a tailgate that will come off just like a trucks, that way you can leave it on, or take it off so you dont have to reach so far.

eugenen · 02-09-2005, 07:22 PM

Ok, I have drawn up plans for a tall teardrop shape. Total height will be a bit over 6' just enough to stand in. Front 6' will be the bed, then an open isle where its at its tallest and the kitchen behind. I wanted to not have the wall in front of the kitchen so it will be useable inside and out but that makes it tall to reach from the outside so I thought of making a step that folds down. Other problem I ran into is I'm calculating too much weight behind the axle since I want to put it under the bed to have the door behind it since it will be tall but that puts the axle too near the front for the weight of the kitchen.

mrshaft696 · 02-09-2005, 09:40 PM

yeah man a trailer light on the tongue will be a real nightmare, like a dog wag at 55mph scary as hell

eugenen · 02-09-2005, 09:59 PM

Thats why its still in the design stage, got a few more problems to work out (and of course the $ factor)

Eight433 · 02-10-2005, 12:18 AM

yeah mine is feeling a little light right now, but the skin isent on it yet, neither is the dual propane tanks. I can stand on the back bumper, and the tounge will stay on the ground. I have to jump to get it to really leave the ground, and i am about 240 lbs or better, so i oughta be alright really...

themostoriganal · 02-10-2005, 02:29 AM

that is sooo bad ass, that would be soo convenient to have at shows

02-04-2005, 02:53 AM	#2
s10Steve stop... DROP... and roll. Age: 24 Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 714 Location: bucks county PA User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer those things are so cool, there is like a gang of people that have them and they go all over and camp out. i saw it on a travel channel speical a few months ago. put up some pics when your done. i bet thats alot cheaper then goin out ans buy a new colemen pop-up.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-04-2005, 08:47 AM	#4
sdime90v8 Registered User Age: 20 Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,525 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer been some time seens i seen one of them sounds cool keep up the work
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02-04-2005, 07:31 PM	#5
DruskiSportTruck Hittin Switches Age: 25 Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 205 Location: M'boro TN User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer Man that looks awsome!!! Keep postin those pics when you get em, I'm interested to see the results!!!
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-04-2005, 10:18 PM	#7
poconojoe Registered User Age: 55 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 6,161 Location: NEPA User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer Two things that I notice, but I realize you're nor far enough that it maters yet. The first being is it looks like your designing the hatch to fit inside of the sides, while this is good for air flow it is bad for leak, you should make the final skin hang over the sides. (May this is your plan, since it's not far enough to tell. The second thing I would do is cross brace the hatch. Run a brace rod diagnally from oposite corners to a turn buckle in the center. Leave an access hole in the inside to be able to adjust the rods later. This will give you some adjustment to resquare up the hatch later on, when the wood starts to bend or bow. It's looking good so far.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-04-2005, 10:22 PM	#8
Eight433 Rollin` Proud on 15's Age: 24 Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 3,038 Location: Birch Run, Michigan User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer Quote: Originally Posted by poconojoe Two things that I notice, but I realize you're nor far enough that it maters yet. The first being is it looks like your designing the hatch to fit inside of the sides, while this is good for air flow it is bad for leak, you should make the final skin hang over the sides. (May this is your plan, since it's not far enough to tell. The second thing I would do is cross brace the hatch. Run a brace rod diagnally from oposite corners to a turn buckle in the center. Leave an access hole in the inside to be able to adjust the rods later. This will give you some adjustment to resquare up the hatch later on, when the wood starts to bend or bow. It's looking good so far. Yeah the final skin will lay on the outside, and it will also have a drip rail on it. I dident think about putting a rod diagonally..... i think i may do that! I am actually having a little trouble already trying to square up the hatch, so thats probably a great idea. Thanks!!!
	[Reply w/Quote]


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02-04-2005, 10:28 PM	#9
eugenen Registered User Age: 35 Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 2,330 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer I've thought about making one of those. But I want to flip the shape around backwards and make it 6' tall. So where about where the H and a are in your word Hatch will be the same height as the top of the cab of the truck then the curve will go up to 6' tall with a walk in door just behind the wheels and the mattress for the bed will sit right on top of the fenders and go to the front of the trailer. then have storage under it. The other idea I thought of is using 1x8's for the side frames so I can but them rounded and trace the body line of the truck onto them. Last edited by eugenen : 02-04-2005 at 10:31 PM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-04-2005, 10:38 PM	#10
poconojoe Registered User Age: 55 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 6,161 Location: NEPA User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer You can really stiffen it up by putting thin plywood between the cross pieces. I'm assuming that theyre 2 by somethings. Set up you table saw with a daddo blade about a hair over the thickness of some quarter or three eigths plywood. Stand the 2 by on its short side and use you guide to put a groove in it about a half inch deep, about a half inch from your top side. Do this on all the sides, that will have a cross piece next to it. Now cut some plywood an inch wider than the space between your boards. Put some glue in the grooves and pound the plywood in. If you do it right you can bow the wood to make your curve, but it will stay square. Before you put your skin on the outside, put some foam insulation, between the wood and you skin. .
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-04-2005, 11:42 PM	#11
bvr_j_0969 Beav Age: 21 Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,613 Location: Knox Co. KY User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer bagg it too, lol jk looks good man, Last edited by bvr_j_0969 : 02-04-2005 at 11:43 PM.
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02-04-2005, 11:47 PM	#12
bagged2000x ICU H8N Age: 26 Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 765 Location: Hoover, AL User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer Thats cool as hell. I like wood working...if i didnt spend so much damn time and money on my truck.
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02-05-2005, 12:43 AM	#13
Eight433 Rollin` Proud on 15's Age: 24 Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 3,038 Location: Birch Run, Michigan User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer Quote: Originally Posted by bvr_j_0969 bagg it too, lol jk looks good man, Bag it. lol thats your answer to everything! (and a damn good one too)
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02-05-2005, 10:56 AM	#14
Baggd un banned Age: 26 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 9,238 Location: north jersey User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer thats nuts, man. :thumbup:
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02-05-2005, 12:15 PM	#15
rcmaniac Stewie Age: 21 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 12,261 Location: Largo, FL User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer Definatly looks good man
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02-05-2005, 12:19 PM	#16
mrshaft696 Primer Spots Age: 28 Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 3,723 Location: Philadelphia, Pa User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer i definately like the idea of the teardrop
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02-06-2005, 01:52 AM	#17
Eight433 Rollin` Proud on 15's Age: 24 Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 3,038 Location: Birch Run, Michigan User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer well not much actually done today...Built the wheel wells (couldent find anywhere to buy some at a reasonable price) so i made them out of scrap plywood, an old towel, and a gallon of fiberglass resin... i put the wall in between the sleeping cabin and the kitchen. Bought a water tank and some lights and stuff, bought a 4.3 Cu Ft refrigerator at sams for 135 bucks... I actually got alot accomplished, even if it doesent look like it.... i'll take some pictures tomorrow. Hopefully i'll have my stove and what not in and maybe even start on the cabinets?
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-06-2005, 12:25 PM	#18
Baggd un banned Age: 26 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 9,238 Location: north jersey User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer this is definitely one of the coolest s10forum projects ive ever seen on here. :thumbup: to you for bein crazy enough to build that shit.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-06-2005, 03:26 PM	#19
MarkIIISdImE Registered User Age: 34 Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 943 Location: Corning NY User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer that is cool as shit. i want one. lol. best of luck and makesure it is a project that u finish. i know mine usual get lil more then half and i go to the next
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-06-2005, 06:05 PM	#20
Eight433 Rollin` Proud on 15's Age: 24 Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 3,038 Location: Birch Run, Michigan User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer Quote: Originally Posted by MarkIIISdImE that is cool as shit. i want one. lol. best of luck and makesure it is a project that u finish. i know mine usual get lil more then half and i go to the next Yeah this one sat awhile too and i'm just now getting back started on it. Today I dident really get that much done either. had to go look at a formula firebird with my dad but i did figure out how to make the hinge on the tailgate and the latch mechanism for the hatch. It took me awhile to think of it, but i'm using a trunk latch from a car. Then i was thinking I would just have a key hole and no handle.... now i'm thinking i'll run the linkage to the popper into the inside of the trailer and maybe get a remote door popper??? so if theres anybody with parts laying around.....
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-08-2005, 12:24 AM	#21
Eight433 Rollin` Proud on 15's Age: 24 Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 3,038 Location: Birch Run, Michigan User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer Well, I got the wheel wells all fiberglassed up and undercoated... nice and pretty all mounted in. Now tomorrow its cabinet building time! Oh, and I gotta make the removable hinge mechanism for the tailgate too.... then all thats left is wiring, piping the gas, paneling the interior, and finally putting the skin on the outside... hope to have it done by the end of next month.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-08-2005, 12:09 PM	#22
mrshaft696 Primer Spots Age: 28 Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 3,723 Location: Philadelphia, Pa User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer what are you going to use as a skin?
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02-08-2005, 01:14 PM	#23
Eight433 Rollin` Proud on 15's Age: 24 Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 3,038 Location: Birch Run, Michigan User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer 3/16 hardboard for strength, then .040 or .060 (i cant remember) aluminum for finish.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-09-2005, 06:51 PM	#25
eugenen Registered User Age: 35 Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 2,330 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer The bottom part of the back that folds down, is that a step to stand on?
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-09-2005, 07:10 PM	#26
Eight433 Rollin` Proud on 15's Age: 24 Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 3,038 Location: Birch Run, Michigan User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer Quote: Originally Posted by eugenen The bottom part of the back that folds down, is that a step to stand on? Its not a step, its just a tailgate that will come off just like a trucks, that way you can leave it on, or take it off so you dont have to reach so far.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-09-2005, 07:22 PM	#27
eugenen Registered User Age: 35 Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 2,330 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer Ok, I have drawn up plans for a tall teardrop shape. Total height will be a bit over 6' just enough to stand in. Front 6' will be the bed, then an open isle where its at its tallest and the kitchen behind. I wanted to not have the wall in front of the kitchen so it will be useable inside and out but that makes it tall to reach from the outside so I thought of making a step that folds down. Other problem I ran into is I'm calculating too much weight behind the axle since I want to put it under the bed to have the door behind it since it will be tall but that puts the axle too near the front for the weight of the kitchen.
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-09-2005, 09:40 PM	#28
mrshaft696 Primer Spots Age: 28 Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 3,723 Location: Philadelphia, Pa User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer yeah man a trailer light on the tongue will be a real nightmare, like a dog wag at 55mph scary as hell
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-09-2005, 09:59 PM	#29
eugenen Registered User Age: 35 Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 2,330 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer Thats why its still in the design stage, got a few more problems to work out (and of course the $ factor)
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-10-2005, 12:18 AM	#30
Eight433 Rollin` Proud on 15's Age: 24 Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 3,038 Location: Birch Run, Michigan User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer yeah mine is feeling a little light right now, but the skin isent on it yet, neither is the dual propane tanks. I can stand on the back bumper, and the tounge will stay on the ground. I have to jump to get it to really leave the ground, and i am about 240 lbs or better, so i oughta be alright really...
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-10-2005, 02:29 AM	#31
themostoriganal F**K STOCK Age: 21 Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 832 Location: orange beach, al User is: OffLine	Re: Home made teardrop trailer that is sooo bad ass, that would be soo convenient to have at shows
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